Leukoplakia

Definition

Oral leukoplakia is the development of thick, white patches on the soft tissue of the mouth. This can include gums, tongue, or inner cheeks. The patches form over the course of weeks or months. Hairy leukoplakia is a specific type of leukoplakia that develops in people with weakend immune systems.

Leukoplakia is a change in cells. Overtime some leukoplakia can develop into cancer.

Causes

Leukoplakia is an overgrowth of cells. It is often associated with regular irritants to the tissue of the mouth such as:

Symptoms

Leukoplakia causes patches on the tongue, gums, or inside of the cheeks. These patches may be:

White or gray, rarely may have some red

Thick, slightly raised, or hardened on the surface

May develop slowly over time

There may be pain or signs of infection. The patches may also be sensitive to touch, heat, or spicy foods.

Hairy leukoplakia also has white patches but they are fuzzy patches. They also tend to appear on the side of the tongue.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done, including the area where the patches are. In most cases, oral leukoplakia can be diagnosed during an oral exam.

Certain infections and cancers can cause patches in your mouth. Your doctor may do a brush biopsy to look for cancer or infections. The brush removes some cells to look at under a microscope.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

Removing the irritant—Quitting smoking or correcting dental problems often takes care of the problem.

Removing patches—If the problem persists, or if signs of cancer are present, your dentist or doctor may need to remove patches of leukoplakia. This may be done with surgery, laser treatment, electrocauterization, or freezing, or topical medications.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.